It’s hard to imagine an organism better suited than algae to help 7 billion - and growing - ambitious humans transition to a sustainable, yet modern and productive, way of life. Since the middle of the twentieth century, food demand has increased at an unprecedented pace with human numbers rising from 2.47 billion in 1950 to over 7 billion today. Re-circulating Aquaculture Systems are the most eco-friendly form of aquaculture. The ultimate water use is minimal, and they have the least environmentally hazardous waste removal methods. When done right, the systems produce very little waste, as they benefit from each other’s by-products. Fish waste fertilizes the plants, which can in turn filter the water and provide needed nutrients back to the fish. Rice farmers in Asia have long farmed fish alongside their crops, using certain species of fish to fight pests that harm their rice paddies.

Although designed to mechanically process microorganisms, this structure appears as if it is a unique organic structure. Its curving form is a response to the suns path and is in direct contrast to the regimented pattern of the algae pods that feed it. Its roof form is designed to collect rain water and supply the organic storage ponds serving the facility. A central linear skylight that follows the spine of the roof provides daylight deep into the facilities interior spaces. The reception center, offices, and visitor viewing area is elevated above the processing plant floor to provide an overview of the process and to protect the integrity of the algae being produced. The entry to the site follows a curvilinear path that weaves through natural wetlands which treat runoff water and provide homes to birds and fish. The tilted glass façade of the building rejects the heat of the sun and reflects the natural ponds that surround the base of the building. Just as algae use photosynthesis to produce complex organic compounds from simple inorganic molecules, the Agrisys facility produces complex organic compounds which are fundamental to the food chains of all ecosystems in the world. The Agrisys facility, enclosed within a membrane, takes it queue from these simple organisms.